Legislation to authorise the construction of Crossrail, the long-awaited east-west rail link across the capital, was given the go-ahead in the Queen’s Speech today.
The multi-billion pound project, which will link Heathrow in the west to Canary Wharf and the Thames Gateway in the east, via the City and the West End, will be put before the House of Commons as a hybrid bill and will be introduced to Parliament in the autumn.
It is anticipated that funding for the scheme will be made up of direct funding from government, a contribution from businesses, an increase in business rates and a tax on developers benefiting from the project.
The Queen also said legislation would be introduced to streamline the organisation of the national rail system in a bid improve performance.
The Queen also announced that legislation would be introduced to provide the Welsh Assembly with a range of transport-related powers.
In total, more than 20 bills were unveiled in this year’s Queen’s Speech.
References: EGi News 23/11/04
